The New York City Subway currently uses various letters and numbers to designate the routes that trains use over the differing lines in the system. Along with the color corresponding to the route's trunk line, these form a unique identifier for the route, easing navigation through the complex system. Several service labels have either been phased out or never been used. This list covers the labels not used as of June 2021[update].
The A Division uses single-digit numbers for each route. Currently, numbers 1 through 7 are in use.
0, while not used publicly, is used as the internal designation of the 42nd Street Shuttle.
8 was last used for the Bronx portion of the Third Avenue El from 1967 to 1973 (when it was demolished). Previously it was used by the IRT to designate their route that used the Astoria Line, which was originally jointly operated with the BMT prior to 1949. Additionally, it appears on the rollsigns of some trains as a green 8.[1]
Two-digit numbers have never been used by the A Division, but have been seen on the current rollsigns of some trains, paired with colors used with other services. It is likely that these were assigned arbitrarily, for use if the MTA changed the additional rush hour express service designators from a "diamond" version of the regular number to a separate number.
An R62A-class car operating on the 42nd Street Shuttle erroneously shows an upside down 11 sign instead of the usual, gray-backgrounded S for shuttles. The purple color currently corresponds to the IRT Flushing Line.
An R62A car with its side sign displaying the 13 bullet in red, corresponding to the IRT Seventh Avenue Line.
Trains of the B Division use single letters of the English alphabet. These service letters are unused, but some have been used or proposed for services at various points in time:
H is the internal route designator for the Rockaway Park Shuttle. It was used publicly until 1993, when the public route emblem was changed to S. Since then, the shuttle has only been referred to as H in internal documents. It was last used publicly for a fare-free shuttle service in the Rockaways, started in November 2012 after damage caused by Hurricane Sandy rendered normal S shuttle and A train services in the area inoperable. This temporary H service lasted until May 2013, when full service on both routes to the Rockaways was restored.[6][7][8]
I has never been used due to its visual similarity to the number 1.[1]
X is used as a placeholder for routes under development.[1]
Y has never been used, as it sounds like the word "why".[1]
The JFK Express's bullet, featuring an airplane symbol inside a turquoise circle, was used from 1978 until 1990.[16]
Prior to May 1985, the B Division used two-letter combinations to indicate differing variations of similar services, but these were phased out in favor of single-letter designators.[1]
The letters H, K, and V can be seen on the rollsigns of some older model subway cars, with colors paired to the last primary trunk line they were assigned to. The letters P, T, U, X and Y could last be seen on R32 side rollsigns as a black letter inside a white circle.[17]
An R68 operating erroneously displays the blue H Train bullet for the Rockaway shuttle.
An R68A displays the V train's old bullet and destinations. Most rollsigns retain a V bullet.
An R32 train erroneously displaying a P sign instead of the proper J
An R32 rollsign erroneously displaying the JFK Express logo. This service was used from September 1978 to April 1990 for limited super-express service to JFK Airport.
"Noteworthy – 9 discontinued". May 7, 2005. Archived from the original on May 7, 2005. Retrieved September 18, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
Hirschman, David (July 21, 2008). "The T Train: NYC Will Get Its First New Subway Line in 70 Years". Wired. No.Aug '08. p.36. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2014. The old (1960s) T service was also called the West End train. The reference was to Brooklyn. By contrast, the new T service will serve the East Side of Manhattan, and 'will unite the Upper and Lower East Sides.'
